Jonas Hakkinen

47

Midfielder

Birth Date: 03.21.1999

Hometown: Vancouver, BC

Previous Club: Vancouver FC

PROFILE
A promising midfield talent from Vancouver, BC, Jonas Hakkinen joined Whitecaps FC Residency in Sept. 2011 after being part of the club’s Prospects program and representing Western Canada at youth level.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC PROSPECTS
From 2009 to 2011, Hakkinen was a member of Whitecaps FC Prospects, where he trained under Residency staff coach Bart Choufour. This included serving as captain of the Prospects side in 2010 and 2011.

YOUTH/AMATEUR
The midfielder’s youth career has seen him develop at top clubs and academy programs in Metro Vancouver. Hakkinen started his soccer career in his hometown of Vancouver, BC, with Point Grey Soccer Club, where he played from 2004 to 2010. He then moved to Metro level when he joined the U-14 side of Vancouver FC for the 2010-11 season. Serving as co-captain, Vancouver FC won the U-14 Metro league title, while the midfielder was named Most Valuable Player that season. Hakkinen furthered his soccer education at the Roman Tulis European Soccer School of Excellence in Coquitlam, BC, from 2007 to 2011 and with the Total Soccer Systems (TSS) Academy team in 2009. As a U-12 player, the midfielder represented Western Canada at the 2011 Danone Nations Cup.

PERSONAL
As a student in Vancouver, BC, Hakkinen attended Queen Elizabeth Annex School from 2005 to 2008 before moving to Queen Elizabeth Elementary School until the end of the 2012 school year. In the fall of 2012, Hakkinen started at Lord Byng Secondary School where he is currently in the ninth grade. He currently holds Canadian citizenship, and has the ability to acquire Finnish citizenship as well.

INTERESTING FACTS
The midfielder is a fan of English Premier League giants Liverpool FC, while his favourite player is FC Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi. His dream stadiums to play in one day are Manchester United’s Old Trafford and Whitecaps FC’s Bell Pitch at BC Place. Hakkinen enjoys many pursuits. They include arts and crafts, biking, skiing, reading, sailing, swimming, as well as track and field. His favourite food is pasta and marinara sauce with Caesar salad.